This summer I had an amazing adventure visiting one of my favorite places – Morocco. If you’re planning a trip to that part of the world, this is the blog for you! I’ve asked my dear friend and Moroccan actress, Soumaya Akaaboune, to share some of her favorite local gems and must-do activities when visiting Tangier.
Raised in Tangier, and after a few years working abroad, Soumaya is now living back in her hometown, the city of Matisse; The Beat Generation writers; the “International Zone” during WWII; the city of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean; the city where legend says Hercules separated the African continent from the European continent. Tangier.
Full of intriguing and fabulous stories—as a harbor city should have—Tangier is all white washed, cosmopolitan, and full of
flavors. Growing up, running in the streets of the Kasbah, it never felt safer. Meeting the likes of The Rolling Stones, Randy
Weston or Derek Jacobi and many more artists, musicians and politicians, is a normal day in Tangier.
Tangier has been the set of many films. It’s not uncommon to run into a film set in the street, where you see Matt Damon
doing a stunt, or Chris Hemsworth darting down an alley.
Tangier is safe, intriguing, and beautiful. Read on for some of Soumaya’s fabulous recommendations!
HOTELS
A lovely hotel with 12 stunning suites and spacious rooms, beautiful gardens, a yummy restaurant, terraces, and pool all
overlooking the spectacular Straits of Gibraltar.
Luxury hotel with a private beach and two pools. Suites with private pools and private villas, the perfect place if one is
craving quiet, empty beaches.
An old school Arab-Colonial building in the heart of Tangier built in the 1930s, reminiscent of Tangier’s international days where spies and artists met escaping the war (or profiting from it). A great garden, pool and a bar that reminds one of Rick’s Cafe.
Set near the Socco Grande and near the oldest Synagogue of Tangier, this little maison d’Hote is charming and quiet and near
all the landmarks to visit in Tangier. There is a pool, the decor is 50s style, clean and simple. The staff are sweet and the breakfast, delicious. It feels more like a home than a hotel.
A typical colonial villa with a good restaurant and a nostalgic atmosphere.
This is a small, cozy Maison d’ Hôte in the heart of the Kasbah. The breakfast and drinks on the terrace are a treat. Very reasonably priced.
Tangier also has a few classical chain hotels such as The Fairmont and The Hilton. Both International 5 star hotels, but I prefer the charm of boutique hotels set in the Kasbah where you can feel that you are in a different culture and in another world.
DINING
For the fish lovers: Le Saveur de Poisson
This is a set menu of our traditional plates from the north of Morocco. Fresh fish and delicious juice are specialities. It’s family restaurant that hasn’t changed since the 1950s—a great place for pescatarians.
O’Saveur
French/Mediterranean cuisine—it’s a good place if one wants an el fresco European atmosphere or a fun bar.
El Morocco Club
In the heart of the Kasbah, one can have breakfast under a large shady tree, and watch life unfold in the little plaza. Then enjoy diner at the piano bar where expats and locals mingle and end up on the dance floor. There is also a non-smoking restaurant where French-Moroccan fusion food is served.
Dar Mokhtar
A little Maison d’hôte with a lovely courtyard and a terrace with a splendid view over Tangier and the bay. It’s prices are reasonable, and the food is perfectly acceptable.
Nonos
A fusion restaurant — the food is delicious, lovely views of the beach and city, and a very good chef who also happens to be the owner!
The best Indian Restaurant in Tangier, Saraya
An Indian restaurant in the middle of downtown Tangier. There is no alcohol, but the food is exquisite if you like spicy cuisine.
Abu Taissir
A hole in the wall Syrian restaurant. The owners are hospitable and kind. If you’re looking for genuine Syrian food, this is the
place.
Dawood’s
On the seaside promenade, this is the best burger and fries in Tangier.
Casa d’Italia
This is not a place we go to for food but more for the scene. It is the old Italian Embassy. The pizzas are made in a wood oven and they are delicious! (The pasta and the rest is ok at best).
L’Ocean
A 15 minutes drive to the Atlantic side, this restaurant serves a French menu that is really delicious. Their Tuna and Poulpe Carpaccio is so exceptional. Make a day out of it, go visit the Hercules caves, order the food, jump in the ocean and come back to eat. The staff are very nice and accommodating, but it’s always better to make reservations
beforehand as it tends to fill up.
BEACHES
Tangier has the best of both worlds, being a city with access to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean at its shores. The Mediterranean is warm and still. You may have to drive a little from the city to find empty beaches but there are many. If not, there are fun crowded beaches, where Moroccan cooky merchants, coffee vendors, ice cream sellers and food hawkers walk by selling their wares.
Caaceres
Beautiful beach about 1:30 minutes from Tangier
Ouad Laou
Also lovely little beach about an hour from Tangier
Atlantic
Bar Sol is a great beach where you can eat fried and grilled fish, order and go for a swim. It’s very popular, and you can also
go on a camel ride!
The Métra Gas beach
Great access to the Atlantic Ocean. Here you need to bring your own water and food as there aren’t any places to get it.
RENTAL HOMES
These houses are really lovely—each one with charm and a story. I know them all, because the owners are old family friends, mainly expats who came to seek another life in Tangier.
Villa Perla
L’Elephant Blanc
Claudine’s +33622211665
Jacquetta Wheeler
Niccolo’s
Gordon Watson
Palais Akaaboune
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If you have any questions when planning your trip to Tangier, or just want to hear some more recommendations, be sure to get in touch with me at [email protected].
